![]() History of Lyre The history of the lyre is lost in the mists of time. It existed during the Sumerian civilisation and was played by the ancient Egyptians. However, the instrument is most frequently associated with ancient Greece. In Greek ancient times, Lyra was mainly an instrument for the amateur player. In the first millennium of western European civilization, the lyre is depicted in the illuminated manuscripts. During this time, the lyre was plucked with a plectrum instead of being strummed with the hand. The first lyre was made by god Hermes, the messenger of gods. Types of Lyre ![]() Structure of Lyre The number of strings on the classical lyre varied with the different ages. Lyre usually has two fixed upright arms (pecheis) or horns (kerata) and a crossbar (zygos) with the tuning pegs (kollopes) of bronze, wood, ivory, or bone. Seven strings (neurai or chordai) of the same length but changing thickness stretched between the crossbars. Lyre is played while sitting or standing, holding in the hand and sometimes supported with a carrying band worn over the shoulder of the player. An additional crossbar, fixed to the sound-chest, makes the connection which transmits the vibrations of the strings. The deepest note is that which comes from the player's body with the most distant. As the strings do not differ much in length, more weight may have been gained for the deeper notes by thicker strings. This is similar to the violin and related to modern instruments. There are two ways of tuning: Lyre from various times and places is regarded as a division of the zither family. |